Feeling A Little Off Kilter

Update Evening:

Mr. and Mrs. C. and their middle child - age 11 (not the youngest as previously thought) were released this afternoon from the SAME hospital. (The husband was taken to the same as his wife and middle daughter.) Mrs. C. was later readmitted to the ER at the different hospital where her other two children are, but I don't know what symptoms prompted the readmittance. The older child (age 12) has broken ribs and internal bruising and bleeding that will require him to be watched until he improves. The younger child (age 10) has broken both her legs in several places and will require long term rehab whenever she is released. They are still listed in serious but stable (now NON life-threatening) condition. The gentleman who died was 79 and may or may not have been drinking. It may have been a factor of his age only. They are still investigating. (As a side note, I used to work as a television news producer and it is amazing how MOST stories involve so much assumption and false information that could easily be avoided if stations weren't all racing to "beat" each other with the scoop.) Of course, I too printed what I didn't confirm personally, but for measures of prayer I said just what was told to me. I am SO VERY THANKFUL that we did not lose our friends today. They still have such a long road ahead and will obviously have a very different Christmas than they had planned.

Update Early Afternoon:

Thank you, God, for news coming quickly! This is torture. Mr. C. has been fully released to leave the hospital after hand surgery. He will be able to follow the transfer of his wife and their youngest child for observation at the university hospital where their other two are in serious, but stable condition. However, it was reported that they were "stable for now." Meaning, from what I was told, that though their vitals are currently in an acceptable range (I don't know if they are breathing or on machines), the surgeons have not yet ascertained things like potential brain damage. Their conditions could change at any moment due to conditions that have not yet been found, but they are stable for RIGHT NOW. Praise God they will at least all be in one hospital soon. I was so worried about the stress of all the separation, with so many different injuries, so close to Christmas with plans obviously canceled. And I know this family will also be so heavy-hearted for the man that perished in the accident and whatever family he may have left behind. That is just how they are.

I feel like I have done nothing but ask prayer requests the last several posts I've put on here, but I guess I figure if you feel led to pray, that will be one more person in petition for whatever problem needs a sound group of believers lifting up requests before the throne. And if you don't feel led, that's okay. We can't possibly all pray for everyone all of the time. There are far too many needs in this world and we can only be a small part of the situations we are individually called to. Especially when you don't know someone, I understand how the urgency can be missing. However, for those that do comment they are praying, I appreciate you so much more than I have the eloquence to explain.

That said, my son's teacher, her husband and their three kids were all hit head on by a drunk driver early this morning en route to Florida for Christmas. I can not help the tears from flowing. She is such a very special lady and I spent significant time with her only Friday discussing another mutual friend of ours whose ten-year-old girl who is fighting a life-threatening infection in the hospital. Two of the children were medi-flighted to our local university hospital, thankfully one of the best in the nation. Mrs. C. and another child were taken to the hospital closest to the crash site, about an hour and a half from home. Her husband was taken to yet another hospital in our home town, a suburb of the metro area. With a very bad hand injury, he is the only one who did not sustain internal trauma. The driver of the other vehicle died at the scene. Unfortunately, that is all the information I have as of yet.

For those who have faithfully prayed for Ashley that she might spend her very first Christmas ever outside of the hospital, it looks as though it is finally going to happen! She has been released to travel with her family to Disney World for the holiday, ironically the same place my son's teacher and her family were heading. It truly is a miracle for her and I couldn't be more excited for them!

Thank you so much for your friendship, you bloggers who ask about the things I have written and show such genuine concern. You know who you are. And you make this world a better place.